Residents appeal plan for Walmart on Ringling

Published: Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 6:59 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 6:59 p.m.

SARASOTA - A neighborhood group headed by former mayor Kelly Kirschner is appealing a planning board decision to allow Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to build a 24-hour-a-day Supercenter on the fringes of downtown Sarasota.

Wal-Mart's plan for the 98,000-square-foot store at the Ringling Shopping Plaza, combining general merchandise and grocery sales, was approved Nov. 14 by city planners.

Because the land is zoned for retail commercial use, planners said City Commission approval is not required.

While a few residents registered mild complaints at the planning board meeting, their concerns had more to do with providing a pathway through the Walmart parking lot to Payne Park, than with whether the Supercenter is allowed under existing code.

Kirschner told the Herald-Tribune that he spoke “with every single planning board member before the meeting.”

“My understanding was they were conversant with the zoning code, and specifically with the fact that a department store is a prohibited use in that zoning district.

“That is a district that is exclusively for small-scale retail and is extremely sensitive to architectural design,” Kirschner said. He said the zoning provisions on the Alta Vista neighborhood “says it is extremely sensitive to operating hours.”

Wal-Mart plans to operate the store 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A Wal-Mart spokesman said that the company typically expects to open a store one year after approval.

City Hall spokeswoman Jan Thornburg confirmed Thursday that the email initiating the appeal was filed in a timely manner.

Kirschner said he expected to solidify opposition to the plan at a Thursday night meeting of the Alta Vista Neighborhood Association.

Developer Ron Burks, who controls a planned nearby condo project, joined in initiating the appeal, as did Juanita Rawlinson, Candy Spaulding, Jerry Sparkman and Marian Maxson.

The appeal is not on the City Commission's agenda.

“It will be up to City Commission whether they want to hear or don't,” Thornburg said. “If yes, it will be set for a public hearing. If no, that is end of it as far as the commission is concerned.”

“It is important that they do hear this,” said Kirschner. “This is something that is of great concern to the neighborhood. We elect them to represent us.”

<p><em>SARASOTA</em> - A neighborhood group headed by former mayor Kelly Kirschner is appealing a planning board decision to allow Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to build a 24-hour-a-day Supercenter on the fringes of downtown Sarasota.</p><p>Wal-Mart's plan for the 98,000-square-foot store at the Ringling Shopping Plaza, combining general merchandise and grocery sales, was approved Nov. 14 by city planners. </p><p>Because the land is zoned for retail commercial use, planners said City Commission approval is not required.</p><p>While a few residents registered mild complaints at the planning board meeting, their concerns had more to do with providing a pathway through the Walmart parking lot to Payne Park, than with whether the Supercenter is allowed under existing code.</p><p>Kirschner told the Herald-Tribune that he spoke “with every single planning board member before the meeting.”</p><p>“My understanding was they were conversant with the zoning code, and specifically with the fact that a department store is a prohibited use in that zoning district.</p><p>“That is a district that is exclusively for small-scale retail and is extremely sensitive to architectural design,” Kirschner said. He said the zoning provisions on the Alta Vista neighborhood “says it is extremely sensitive to operating hours.”</p><p>Wal-Mart plans to operate the store 24 hours a day, seven days a week. </p><p>A Wal-Mart spokesman said that the company typically expects to open a store one year after approval.</p><p>City Hall spokeswoman Jan Thornburg confirmed Thursday that the email initiating the appeal was filed in a timely manner.</p><p>Kirschner said he expected to solidify opposition to the plan at a Thursday night meeting of the Alta Vista Neighborhood Association.</p><p>Developer Ron Burks, who controls a planned nearby condo project, joined in initiating the appeal, as did Juanita Rawlinson, Candy Spaulding, Jerry Sparkman and Marian Maxson.</p><p>The appeal is not on the City Commission's agenda.</p><p>“It will be up to City Commission whether they want to hear or don't,” Thornburg said. “If yes, it will be set for a public hearing. If no, that is end of it as far as the commission is concerned.”</p><p>“It is important that they do hear this,” said Kirschner. “This is something that is of great concern to the neighborhood. We elect them to represent us.”</p>